Anna Bennett, when a third year acupuncture student

'I used to be involved in international sport, and it was a knee injury that first highlighted to me the wonders of acupuncture. Fascination with how it worked, and why just treating my knee had produced such an effect on my overall wellbeing drove me to want to learn about Chinese medicine and I applied for a place on the College's acupuncture degree course.

When I looked around during the open day, I got a great feeling of energy not only from the people I met, but also from the building itself. I felt there was a vibrant buzz to this College which was really exciting and I knew then that I wanted to be a part of it.

I have been amazed how the lessons taught at the College have helped me to see the world in a very different and positive way. They have armed me with skills which are not only useful in the clinic, but which I use continuously in every day life.

This course is a massive commitment, but it will reward you in more ways than you can imagine!'

Carla J Cassells, third-year acupuncture student

I loved life and thoroughly enjoyed running my own business as a graphic design consultant and business advisor. At the weekends I played hockey and dreamt of running up the wing. Design concepts gave me the thrill of solving client problems whilst wondering deeply about the world.

I have a flying carpet kind of mind, and it adapts easily to creative thinking. But I had questions about the 'yangization' of business life. My life clipped along at the surprising pace it can, when we don't really want to think about things. But I hurt my back after a bad fall. Appointments followed with hassled-for-time London-based alternative practitioners and specialists. Then after one appointment, with a chiropractor who had studied acupuncture in Korea, I walked out without limping - after he put a needle in my you-know-what's-it. I wanted to know more.

In the solitude of being unwell, I thought about lots of things - chiefly about what really seems to matter. My Grandpa sits in his chair in his home-knitted jumper and socks, he has lost his sight. The world has changed all round him. He tells me about horse-drawn barges and about swimming in the canal, and being drafted into the army at 18. Recently he told me more about his health complaints. After studying at the College I now have some insight into his medication and why some things have come about, and how they might have been avoided.

The beauty of this College is that the knowledge you gain starts to filter out to your family, friends and into the community. I noticed as my first-year exams approached that some of my text books were missing. Tell tale signs emerged as I found them open next to the cornflakes packet. The culprit was my partner who is now happily studying in the second year, and we share and talk about lots of things.

This College's approach of teaching conventional medical science together with Chinese syndromes is very perceptive. It is necessary for us to understand modern disease as well as Five Element theory. The Five Transformations allow us to contemplate our methods of healing, personal psychology, the food we eat, and we start to see the correspondence in agriculture, economics, politics and in human behaviour. Where we find ourselves in this cycle at any point in time determines the imbalances we suffer or the continuity and harmony we experience. In short, whether we are evolving or revolving. This College has evolved, and that is the reason many people chose to study here, especially from scientific or medical backgrounds.

If we are very lucky our lives present us with the opportunity to study at a place like this College, where the teaching reveals what we need to be reflected back. There is a wealth of knowledge here to be absorbed, as well as plenty of support to help us on our journey. So we are given the skills and knowledge to be confident in our ability to treat patients before we set up our own practices.

Cecile Giaon, third-year acupuncture student

'Acupuncture made such an impact on my health after the birth of my first child, and during my second labour that I decided to study it myself so that I could help others to return to good health as well. This College was an easy choice for me since I was first treated by student practitioners at the College clinic, and they worked wonders!

What also impressed me is the wealth of experience of the tutors and the thoroughness of the College's curriculum, which puts great emphasis on both theory and practice. Having studied in different languages on several continents, I felt myself fit in comfortably from the start at the College, which has the ability to attract students from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities.'

Owen Jenins, first-year acupuncture student

'The moment I entered the College building for the open day I knew this was the place where I wanted to study for the next three years.

This first year has already been tough, juggling life, work and College but every lesson confirms that this course is exactly what I've been searching for.The teaching staff have so much experience amongst them it's impossible not to be swept up in their excitement and love for the field. Meeting my classmates feels like old friends coming together to learn, such is the openness and peer support.

The first time I went to clinical observation I was so nervous and in awe of the third year students. Seeing them hone their skills with real patients made me realise just how much there is to learn. Watching these students visibly making a difference to people's lives only spurs me on to study harder. The next three years' study are going to be the most exciting, difficult and immensely rewarding times of my life. Bring it on.'

Kate Robinson, third-year acupuncture student

'I qualified as a dentist in the late eighties and back then if you had told me I would be taking a degree in acupuncture in my forties I would have laughed. But life changes you and here I am!

This course is definitely challenging, perhaps more so for someone with a scientific background, but the help you get from everyone here is huge and the atmosphere of mutual friendship and support amongst staff and fellow students sees you through the tough times.

This College feels like a second home and I look forward to qualifying next year with excitement and sadness in equal measure.'

Kate Yanagimoto, final-year acupuncture student

'I am 62 and in my final fortnight - dizzy with joy at completing the course and now being able to treat my own patients. It was dynamic, scary, exhilarating, stretching, fascinating, exhausting - and totally addictive. Each stage we reached was better than the one before. Come here and you'll never be the same again. I've learnt to see myself and others in a new light. It's a major shift, an understanding that leads us to fulfilling and healing lives as acupuncturists. The integration of TCM and Five Element acupuncture is what makes the College special. Add to that a stiff conventional medical science module and research requirements, result: a demanding course. I travel a long way to Reading, but it's worth every minute. My only regret is that I didn't come sooner.'